Nellis training stopped after pilot dies in crash

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2002 | 11:21 a.m.

-- Compiled by Mary Manning

Nellis Air Force Base officials suspended training flights today while they investigate Wednesday's mid-air collision of two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs that killed one pilot during a training mission northwest of Las Vegas.

Capt. Eric Palaro, a pilot from the 81st Fighter Squadron in Spangdahlem, Germany, was killed when the two jet fighters collided about 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Capt. Kelly Cahalan said Wednesday.

Maj. Scott Kniep, an instructor with the Air Force Weapons School A-10 division, ejected from the second fighter and was in good condition Wednesday night, Nellis officials said.

About 40 aircraft were involved in Wednesday's session, officials said. Both pilots of the Thunderbolts are Americans, officials said.

The aircraft crashed about 2 p.m. north of Yucca Mountain near Tolicha Peak. That portion of the range, known as "75 east," is between Beatty and Tonopah.

It was the ninth crash involving A-10s, nicknamed "Warthogs," in the past five years. Wednesday's accident was the second crash of an A-10 fighter based at Nellis. On Sept. 3, 2001, a fighter pilot ejected safely before the single-seat A-10 struck a mountain near Mesquite, about 90 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

Each A-10 costs $9.8 million.

The planes are among the oldest aircraft in U.S. military service. Fairchild began building A-10s in 1975 and the last one came off the line in 1982.

In 1991 the Warthogs were scheduled to go to the "boneyard" at the Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. However, the craft proved itself in the Gulf War and the Air Force initiated the "Hog-Up" program to extend the life of A-10s.

The Pentagon recently announced that A-10s were being provided replacement wings and advanced avionics.

The upgraded jets are expected to stay in service until 2028, Air Force officials said.

The jets were assigned to the 57th Wing at Nellis, which manages flying operation and aircraft maintenance. The 57th Wing includes the Air Force Weapons School, "Red Flag" and "Air Warrior" training and the Air Force Demonstration Squadron.

The two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were flying a training mission as part of the s Weapons School graduation exercises. The exercises, which run through Monday, are designed for advanced pilots to test their skills in a mock combat arena.

Currently A-10s are based at Nellis, in Maine and at Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Nellis officials said.

Other aircraft being flown during the training include B-1B Lancers, B-52 Stratofortresses, F-15 Eagles and Strike Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons and HH-60 Pavehawks.

Sun reporter

Jace Radke contributed to this story.